Board of Directors

Michael Chavira

Michael is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Axiologic Solutions, a government services provider in the Intelligence Community. A graduate of the University of Wyoming with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, he became a nuclear officer and then an intelligence officer in the United States Navy. Before starting Axiologic Solutions, he worked at Booz Allen Hamilton as a systems engineer where he was able to apply his system engineering skills to develop and integrate sensor systems for the US Army and our war fighters. Learning the value of a strong education during his military career, he continued his education and earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Michael then went on to earn a Masters in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia followed by a Masters in Finance from American University. Today, he is driven to create a challenging and fun, entrepreneurial work environment that balances a small company idea-driven culture with large company stability and growth. Over the last twelve years, Michael has worked to grow Axiologic Solutions from two employees to over 300 employees with approximately $100 million in revenue. Michael has recently been named to the board of Directors for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Museum in Cody, WY and with City Kids in Washington DC.

Michael currently resides in Maryland. When he’s not working, he is enjoying his time with his growing family and often travels to his home state of Wyoming where he enjoys sharing his passion for the outdoors with his family and friends. Michael also has a passion for fitness and has completed 6 iron man races and is anxious to start training for more triathlons.

Sarah Cryder

Executive Director and President

Sarah joined City Kids Wilderness Project in November 2017. She has extensive strategic business planning and project management background. Prior to joining City Kids, she worked with local and national charter and district schools, foundations, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit service providers with a mission focused on improving education and life outcomes for underserved children. Sarah has also consulted with the D.C. Public Schools to implement evidence-based mental health intervention pilot programs, research successful national pilot interventions, and evaluate program outcomes through data-driven metrics. Sarah holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree from Boston College.

Adele Fabrikant

With a career deeply rooted in public education and community engagement, Dr. Adele Tay Fabrikant joins our board with a wealth of experience and a commitment to serving her community. Adele’s journey began as a Teach For America corps member in the South Bronx, where she ignited her passion for educational equity. Since then, she has led transformative initiatives in educational leadership and youth engagement, including serving as the founding principal of a public transfer high school in Brooklyn, New York. For nearly 7 years, Adele led Teach For America’s D.C.

Now as the Executive Director at the Cahn Fellowship, Adele and her team provide advanced leadership development in large metropolitan areas to strong, talented school leaders to improve public education. Adele’s dedication to student-centered learning and community empowerment aligns perfectly with City Kids’ mission to provide enriching life and learning opportunities for DC youth. Her expertise in instructional design and school leadership will be invaluable as we continue to expand our programs and impact.

Gerry de Leon

Gerry de Leon is the Chief Financial Officer at Dynepic, Inc. He is an experienced finance and accounting professional with more than 15 years of experience in both public accounting and private industry. During his career, Gerry has led engagement teams across various sectors including commercial, non-profit, and Federal Government, advising on all matters accounting and finance. Gerry has a BS in Accounting from the University of Maryland. Gerry also serves on the board of Cuba Skate.

Rachel Lettre

Rachel Lettre has worked in the outdoor industry for over 20 years specializing in program development, partnership building, risk management, and staff management. Rachel’s experience includes engaging underserved populations in urban communities, designing and delivering training, creating innovative partnerships and assessing risk in programs. Rachel has served as an external Safety Reviewer for Outward Bound and is currently working with MobilizeGreen to develop and deliver Youth Conservation Corps programs for diverse high school age students. Previously, Rachel spent 17 years at the Student Conservation Association in various leadership positions and most recently served as the Eastern Regional Program Director. In this role, she worked collaboratively with federal, state and local land management agencies, non-profit organizations, and partner organizations to develop and run innovative conservation service programs throughout the Eastern US. Prior to SCA, Rachel worked as an environmental and outdoor educator in residential, backcountry and urban settings. Rachel received a B.A. in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management from Indiana University and a postgraduate degree in Outdoor Education from Edinburgh University.

Will Morrow

Bringing over 20 years of experience in operations management and financial analysis, Will Morrow is a seasoned leader with a deep commitment to youth development and outdoor education. Will’s diverse background, ranging from investment banking to the food and beverage industry as the CFO of Melvin Brewing Company for over eight years, provides a unique perspective that will contribute to the strategic growth of City Kids. Will has been a Wyoming resident for over a decade and is currently doing amazing work as the CFO of Vertical Harvest Farms to grow food in urban hydroponic farms while creating local jobs.

Growing up on a ranch, Will developed a profound appreciation for nature and its transformative power in shaping young lives. His passion for City Kids’ mission stems from his belief in the importance of experiential outdoor education in fostering resilience and leadership skills among youth.

Mary Speyer

Board Chair
Mary Speyer has been involved in political fundraising for more than twenty years and has worked on various campaigns, operated her own business and participated in grassroots lobbying efforts. Mary has experience in fundraising, project development, event planning, and marketing. Her most recent activities include extensive travel to Tanzania, where she and her daughter co-founded a non-profit organization to build schools, promote early childhood educational programs and support infrastructure projects in rural villages throughout Arusha, Tanzania.

She has also been involved in major fundraising endeavors for The Sidwell Friends School. She currently serves on the boards of various organizations based in Washington, D.C. and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She oversees the philanthropic activities of the Alexander C. and Tillie S. Speyer Foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is an avid hiker, marathoner and outdoor enthusiast. Ms. Speyer resides in Washington, D.C. and Jackson Hole, Wyoming with her husband, Jim Speyer and their three children.

Whitney Tome

Whitney Tome has worked with fishermen, environmentalists, advocates, political strategists, government employees, and thought leaders to develop the approach and solutions needed for the problem. Combining her facilitation skills, knowledge of environmental issues, and understanding of people, Whitney is able to walk into any room, ask the right questions, develop a strategy in the moment, and leave everyone with action items and tasks.

Whitney is currently a principal at the Raben Group, and previously served as the director of diversity and inclusion at the National Parks Conservation Association where she led, defined, and crafted metrics and measures for the organization’s diversity and inclusion efforts. Whitney has advised complex ocean stakeholder processes as a Program Manager and Mediator at the Meridian Institute including facilitating public meetings for regional ocean planning bodies that included state, federal and tribal partners.

Whitney earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Middlebury College and a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law. She also won the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) International Mediation Competition in Paris, France.

Lisa Weddington

Lisa serves as the Attendance Control Officer with the United States Postal Service, and also has a separate venture in the health and wellness field. Her son is a City Kids program alumnus and a recent college graduate. As a City Kids parent, Lisa brings a welcome voice to the Board. She has been a consistent City Kids advocate and volunteer ever since her son started in the program. Lisa has also been a long time City Kids ambassador at USPS, hosting giving campaigns to benefit City Kids through the United Way / CFC.

Dhivya Venkataraman

Dhivya is a Portfolio Manager for Education Grantmaking at the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. She supports the Equity by Design portfolio, focused on promoting equity in schools. Dhivya brings over ten years of experience in supporting education and social impact organizations to address their most pressing strategy and talent challenges.

Before joining the Foundation, Dhivya worked as an independent education consultant for two years and was an Associate Partner on Bellwether Education Partners’ Strategic and Talent Advising teams for five years. Dhivya worked with a range of education organizations including nonprofit organizations, school districts, charter management organizations networks, and foundations, strengthening efforts to improve outcomes for under-served students in the United States. Prior to Bellwether, Dhivya worked at IBM Global Business Solutions in its public-sector division. Dhivya advised federal clients, such as the Navy and EPA, on improving their core operations and financial management systems. In addition, Dhivya worked in international development, assisting governments with initiatives in economic development, health care, and education.

Dhivya holds master’s degrees in public policy and business administration from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University. She is an alumna of the Education Pioneers Graduate School Fellowship.

Emeritus Board

Advisory Board – DC

The Advisory Board is made up of talented professionals who share an interest in youth development, philanthropy, and the outdoors. They participate in outreach and fundraising, provide expertise and counsel on areas of personal and professional expertise, and have the opportunity to volunteer and participate in City Kids programming. The Advisory Board is an exciting way to network and connect with others in the DC region who are committed to supporting extraordinary opportunities for DC youth. If you would like to learn more, or apply to be on the Advisory Board, please contact Neha Rauf, Development and Communications Manager, at neha@citykidsdc.org.

Grace Benson | District of Columbia International School

Ali Hollman | Cityblock Health

Anya Lagasse | KCI Technologies

Adrienne Leon | Deloitte Consulting

Melissa Pewett | The Wilderness Society

Alex Rudin | MITRE

Rob Stackhouse | The City of Alexandria, VA

Sophia Stone | STRIVR

Alex Tilsley | The Urban Institute